OCSO: Investigation indicates no armed robbery

Editor's note: This article was updatedto add details of the incident initially reported to police

Reports of an armed robbery at a Sneads Ferry outreach are unfounded, according to investigators.

The Onslow Country Sheriff’s Office investigated the reported armed robbery at Mama J’s Wednesday afternoon and determined there was no robbery, Maj. Chris Thomas said. The deputies had responded to an armed robbery call at 2205 N.C. Hwy 172 at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday where it was reported that two men in a white SUV were seen leaving the area, Thomas said.

Thomas said the men were reportedly selling jewelry in the parking lot to people visiting Mama J’s but nothing was stolen.

A 52-year-old woman in the parking lot was approached by one of the men, Thomas said, and in response to him making the woman feel nervous she purchased jewelry from the man in order to get away from him.

She told deputies she believed the man was carrying a weapon on him, but Thomas said the alleged weapon was not brought out or used and none were found on the scene.

Thomas said the incident happened outside in the parking lot and the two men were gone by the time deputies arrived.

The sheriff’s office has not been able to locate the men and it will be determined after speaking with them whether any charges will result from the incident, Thomas said.